Final Results
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Pedrya Seymour notched the highest Olympic finish by an Illinois track athlete in 20 years with a sixth place finish in the 100m hurdles final Wednesday evening. The Illini red-shirt junior timed 12.76 in the final after setting a new personal-record time of 12.64 in the semifinals earlier in the evening.
"Tonight was another awesome performance by Pedrya," said Head Coach Ron Garner. "She ran really tough, kept her focus and composure on the biggest stage! To be an Olympic Finalist and finish sixth while being surrounded by the best in the world is an amazing accomplishment. Our entire program is incredibly proud of Pedrya and Team Bahamas."
Similar to her semifinal race, Seymour made a push in the final half of the competition, putting her in contention for a medal. Â Unfortunately, the Bahamian clipped the final hurdle, slowing her down as she came to the finish line.
"Pedrya did a tremendous job and I couldn't be more proud of her in how she ran her race," said Associate Head Coach Randy Gillon. "Towards the end of the race, she got a little bit anxious and clipped that last hurdle, which might have been the difference between a medal or, at worst, fourth place. That being said, we remain incredibly excited and proud of her. Words can't describe what I feel about her and what she has achieved this season. I'm looking forward to the future and all that it has in store."
Seymour's sixth place finish is the best finish by an Illini track and field athlete since Tonja Buford-Bailey won bronze in the 400m hurdles in 1996.
Earlier in the evening, Seymour set a new personal-best time of 12.64 to finish third overall in the semifinals. The time broke her own Bahamian national record and moved her into second place on Illinois all-time list. Two-time Olympian Perdita Felicien holds the Illinois record with a time of 12.53.
Competing in her first Olympics, Seymour was the youngest, 21, of the eight women to qualify for the 100m hurdle final.
Prior to this year's outdoor season, Seymour had never competed in the 100m hurdles, making her debut on April 9 with a time of 13.50. Since then, Seymour has shaved 0.86 seconds off her time, broken the Bahamian national five times, earned First Team All-American honors at NCAA Outdoor Championships and set a her previous personal-best time of 12.83 at NACAC Championships in July.
For more coverage of the Fighting Illini Women's Track & Field program, go to fightingillini.com and follow the team on Twitter and Instagram.
100m Hurdles Final Results:
- Briana Rollins (USA) – 12.48
- Nia Ali (USA) – 12.59
- Kristi Castlin (USA) – 12.61
- Cindy Ofili (Great Britain) – 12.63
- Cindy Roleder (Germany) – 12.74
- Pedrya Seymour (Bahamas) – 12.76
- Tiffany Porter (Great Britain) – 12.76
- Phylicia George (Canada) – 12.89
